Interspecific tree &#34;Tri-lite&#34;

ABSTRACT

Our new development relates to a distinct variety of interspecific tree (peach×plum peach), which as the following unique combination of desirable features: 
     1. The ability to be a regular and productive bearer of medium size fruit. 
     2. Fruit having very firm white flesh with good handling and shipping quality. 
     3. Fruit with good flavor and eating quality both fresh and canned. 
     4. Fruit that will maintain excellent texture, shape and appearance after being canned. 
     5. The ability of the fruit to stay firm on the tree 12 to 15 days after maturity (shipping ripe). 
     6. After being canned, the fruit having a very attractive clear white flesh color.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The present new and distinct variety of interspecific tree (peach×plumpeach) was originated by us in our experimental orchard located nearModesto, Calif. as a first generation seedling from a cross between aselected seedling with the identification number 23EA103 and mixedpollen from three plum peach selections. The female parent 23EA103originated as a selected seedling grown from seed of an open pollinatedO'Henry Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,964). The mixture of pollen usedfor this cross was collected from 3 interspecific (plum×peach) treeswith the identification numbers 4G946, 4G816 and 4G1008. The threeinterspecific (plum×peach) trees have a common female parent Red BeautPlum (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,539) crossed with each pollen of unknownparentage.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of interspecific tree (peach×plum peach)was asexually reproduced by budding, as performed by us in ourexperimetnal orchard located near Modesto, Calif. and shows that allcharacteristics run true to the original tree and are established andtransmitted through succeeding propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of interspecific tree (peach×plum peach)which is of large size, vigorous upright in growth and a regular andproductive bearer of medium size, while flesh clingstone fruit with goodflavor and eating quality both fresh and canned. The present variety ofinterspecific tree (peach×plum peach) is further characterized as to itsnovelty by producing very firm white flesh fruit that will stay firm onthe tree 12 to 15 days after maturity (shipping ripe) and after beingcanned, maintain excellent texture and shape with an attractive clearwhite flesh color.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographic reproductions show typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of our new interspecific variety (peach×plumpeach), with the upper and lower surface of the leaves beingillustrated, also with an exterior and sectional view of the fruit beingdivided in the suture plane to reveal flesh coloration and a stoneremaining in place. The photographs were taken shortly after the fruitwas picked (firm ripe) and the colors are as nearly true as isreasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of our new anddistinct variety of interspecific tree, its flowers, foliage and fruitas based on observations of specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., withcolor terminology (except those in common terms) in accordance withReinhold Color Atlas by A. Kornerup and J. H. Wanscher.

Tree:

Size.--Large.

Vigor.--Vigorous.

Form.--Upright.

Density.--Medium dense.

Shape.--Normally pruned to vase shape.

Production.--Productive.

Bearer.--Regular.

Trunk:

Size.--Medium stocky.

Surface.--Medium shaggy.

Color.--Brown to dark brown (6-E-5) to (6-F-5).

Branches:

Size.--Medium to large.

Surface.--Smooth to medium rough.

Lenticels.--Medium number Medium size.

Color.--Brown to grayish brown.

Leaves:

Size.--Medium. Average length -- 5". Average width -- 11/2".

Form.--Lanceolate.

Texture.--Smooth.

Margin.--Crenate.

Thickness.--Medium.

Petiole.--Average length -- 5/8". Medium thickness.

Glands.--Reniform. Small to medium size. Number varies from 2 to 4.Average number 2. Positioned on base of leaf blade and upper porton ofpetiole.

Color.--Upper surface -- green to dark green (25-F-8) to (26-F-8). Lowersurface -- dull green to green (25-E-4) to (26-F-6).

Flower buds:

Size.--Medium.

Form.--Plump.

Length.--Medium.

Pubescence.--Pubescent.

Flowers:

Size.--Large -- showy.

Blooming period.--Mar. 4, 1992 to Mar. 11, 1992. Varies slightly withclimatic conditions.

Pollen.--Present.

Color.--Pink.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.--Firm ripe.

Date of first picking.--Jun. 20, 1992.

Date of last picking.--Jun. 28, 1992.

Size.--Medium. Average diameter axially -- 23/8" to 21/2". Averagetransversely in suture plane 23/4" to 3".

Form.--Nearly globose -- slightly flattened at the apex and stem end.

Suture.--Shallow -- nearly smooth, extends from base to apex.

Cavity.--Rounded, to slightly elongated in suture plane. Average depth-- 7/16". Average breadth -- 3/4".

Base.--Retuse.

Apex.--Retuse, varies from round to retuse.

Flesh:

Texture.--Very firm.

Fibers.--Few -- tender.

Juice.--Moderate.

Ripens.--Evenly.

Flavor.--Good -- mild -- sweet -- subacid.

Aroma.--Slight.

Eating quality.--Good.

Color.--White (1-A-1). Pit cavity -- white to off white -- clear whiteafter being canned.

Skin:

Thickness.--Medium.

Texture.--Medium.

Tendency to crack.--None.

Down.--Moderate. Very short.

Color.--White to pinkish white ground color (8-A-1) to (8-A-2)Overspread with red blush (11-A-8) to (11-B-7).

Stone:

Type.--Clingstone.

Size.--Medium to large. Average length -- 11/4". Average width -- 11/4".Average thickness -- 1/2".

Form.--Oval.

Base.--Usually rounded -- varies from rounded to straight.

Sides.--Usually unequal with slight narrow ridge forming on suture sideof stone. Varies from equal to unequal.

Apex.--Cuspidate.

Surface.--Furrowed toward apex -- pitted throughout -- heavier towardbase.

Tendency to split.--Very slight.

Color.--Brown to reddish brown (9-E-5) to (10-E-5).

Use: Dessert.

Market.--Local and long distance. Canned.

Keeping quality: Good.

Shipping quality: Good.

The present variety of interspecific tree (peach×plum peach), itsfoliage, flowers and fruit herein described may vary in slight detaildue to cultural practices, soil types and climatic conditions underwhich the variety may be grown; the present description being of thevariety grown by us under the ecological conditions prevailing nearModesto, Calif.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree.(peach×plum peach), substantially as illustrated and described,characterized by its large size, vigorous upright growth and a regularand productive bearer of medium size, white flesh, clingstone fruit withgood flavor and eating quality both canned and fresh; the fruit isfurther characterized by having very firm flesh and the ability to holdfirm on the tree 12 to 15 days after maturity (shipping ripe) and afterbeing canned maintains excellent texture and shape with an attractiveclear white flesh color.